Principal's Message

Dear Parents:

February is filled with events that focuses on being caring, kind, and family focused. Family day, Valentines Day, and Pink Shirt day are only a few things that happen this month. We will also be looking at supporting global issues through our Nicaragua project!

As a school we are going to be refocusing on our new acronym ROARS. This stands for Respect, Organised, Attitude, Responsibility, and Safety. Part of that is also celebrating diversity at our school as well as becoming caring and kind citizens. We have already been practicing our WITS!

A reminder for us about “R”especting diversity and choice is Pink Shirt Day on February 22. Diversity among people is one of the prominent features of British Columbia's society and our schools. Honouring diversity is based on the principle that if differences are acknowledged and utilized in a positive way, it only benefits the quality of the learning and working environments we are in.

Addressing diversity encompasses the following:

taking into account the different beliefs, customs, practices, languages, behaviours and physical differences of individuals and cultural groups

encouraging understanding, acceptance, mutual respect and inclusion, in order to make school communities and society as a whole more equitable for all people

Let's work together this month in promoting diversity by being caring and kind in February! JUNIPER RIDGE ROARS!

BRINGING ITEMS FROM HOMEPlease be aware that we do try and assist students who have items stolen or lost at the school. However, we also want parents to be aware that toys, playing cards (ie Pokemon cards, etc), devices or other items from home are brought to school at your own risk. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items of this nature. If items of this nature are causing playground issues or become a distraction to learning or are not used appropriately, they may be confiscated.

It is recommended that students do not bring expensive items to school or items they can not do without or will cause significant stress if broken or lost. It is also recommended that you mark every item (including clothing such as boots, jackets, shoes, etc) with a name in a place easily found.

TRAFFICThank you to everyone for “R”especting our traffic and parking at Juniper Ridge. Please continue to use the pick up and drop off areas for the school to keep congestion and traffic flow safe. A friendly reminder to keep things safe and traffic flow in front of the school at a minimum, and that the staff parking lot is not a pick up or drop off area.

Juniper Ridge Elementary School is also working with the City of Kamloops on idling and air quality. Please be aware that the city bi-law permits idling for no longer that three minutes. This is particularly important at school locations where traffic flow is high during morning and afternoons. The levels of pollution can have detrimental affects to the air quality and possibly all of our children at the school.

This month we are going to be working on RESPECT! We will be reviewing how to be caring and kind for the month of February. The staff is on the look out for students who are displaying our ROARS motto.

We will also be working on strategies to deal with peer conflicts (WITS):

W = Walk awayI = IgnoreT = Talk to the personS = Seek help (an adult)

If you could review all of these expectations with your children at home it would help us maintain a positive school culture at Juniper. A copy of the new ROARS Matrix will be posted soon. In the meantime, please continue to use the old Matrix as a reference.

The School District has also revised the CODE OF CONDUCT. Copies of the CODE OF CONDUCT are on the school website as well as posted around the school.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

School District No. 73 [Kamloops/Thompson] will register students for September 2017 as follows:KINDERGARTEN 2017Registration will take place February 14th to 17th at neighbourhood schools, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Parents are strongly encouraged to register children for kindergarten on these dates at neighbourhood schools. Information on the catchment areas is available on our website: www.sd73.bc.ca. To be eligible for attendance in kindergarten in September 2017, a student must be five years of age by December 31, 2017. Please bring your child’s original birth certificate, Care Card and proof of address with you when registering for kindergarten. If you wish, you may pick up a registration form at the school office, and complete the form in advance, or a form is available for download on the School District #73 website or the Juniper Ridge Elementary website.

Early Closure Days

February 9th and 10th are early closure days at Juniper Ridge Elementary. On these days, students will be dismissed at 12:30 pm.

​Read Around the Planet - News from our Library

Twelve classes will be participating in READ AROUND THE PLANET. They will have the opportunity to meet via video conferencing with a class in another province or state. Our students will meet other students from places such as South Carolina, Texas, Kansas, New York, Washington, Alberta, and North Carolina.

Calling all Artists (Grades 4-7)

The Young Artists’ Conference is an annual event for aspiring artists in elementary school to showcase their artwork and take part in a series of workshops. The school district has offered this unique opportunity to our students since 1987.

Over 120 students, from grades 4 to 7, are selected to participate in the Young Artists' Conference. Seven students will be chosen to attend the Young Artists' Conference to represent Juniper Ridge Elementary. Artwork needs to be original, unique, and done in any 2D mediums. Artwork can be done at school or at home, but should be done independently. You cannot copy well known images or duplicate a teacher's or other student's work. Students can submit up to 3 pieces of artwork to Ms.Stonehouse by MARCH 1ST.

The Young Artists' Conference this year will be May 4th at Thompson Rivers University with many workshops held in the university’s art studios. Students choose from a variety of workshops and receive instruction from community professional artists and outstanding art educators.​

The students will be selling hand made jewelry and crafts. They have been hard at work already this fall! Proceeds of this class fundraiser are going to towards their Nicaragua Class Project.

​How can parents participate?1) Purchase a table by donation to sell and swap your own gently used clothes, toys, games, books and other unwanted items. If you are interested in purchasing a table, ​please e-mail: junipercraftsale@gmail.com2) JUST DONATE! If you don't want to set up a table, the teachers and students are collecting your unwanted items to sell. So keep all those used toys, games, books, clothes and we will collect them on February 15 & 16. Get rid of your stuff and support a great cause...MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW BUT REMEMBER BRING THOSE DONATIONS on FEB. 15& 163) Come Shop on February 18th!!

Discussion and presentation for adults in the community room. Sorry, we are unable to provide childcare.

We care about where we live. Promoting involvement in personal safety and crime prevention strategies enhances livability in Kamloops. Education and awareness empowers our community to take appropriate action and reduce opportunities for criminal activity.

​Juniper Ridge Elementary Calendar

February 9 Early Closure Day (12:30pm) 10 Early Closure Day (12:30pm) 13 Family Day 14 Kindergarten Registration (Feb 14-17)​ 24 District Inservice Day March 20 Spring Break beginsApril 3 First day back 14 Good Friday 17 Easter Monday 24 District Inservice DayMay 15 District Inservice Day 22 Victoria DayJune 29 Last Day for Students

PAC CORNER

Feb 3rd: HOT LUNCH – Senor Frogs Mexican

Feb 15th: **WEDNESDAY** The next Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting is WEDNESDAY February 15th at 6 pm in the library. All parents are automatically on the Parent Advisory Council and are encouraged to attend the meetings. Child Care is provided.

Feb 17th: HOT LUNCH - Hot Dog Day

Feb 18th: Indoor Swap 'n Shop from 10 am - 2 pm in the school gymnasium to support the school wide fundraiser for Nicaragua.

Feb 23rd: HOT LUNCH – Little Ceasars Pizza

Feb 27th: Juniper Community Safety and Crime Prevention Meeting. 7-8:30 pm in the Community Room.

School Board Notes

​From the Board Meeting of: January 16, 2017

The Board approved the Consent Agenda which contained the following reports/information:

Adoption of the Mid-Term Inaugural Meeting minutes of December 12, 2016

Rural Education Engagement Response

BCSSA Thompson-Okanagan Chapter Forum

Aboriginal Enrolment Comparison

2017 Committee Appointments

Chair's Report

The Board received an engaging presentation from District Library Coordinator Andrea Wallin on the Digital Literacy Innovation Project.

The Board was pleased to present the OWL Award for Excellence in Public Education to this year’s recipient, Mr. Chris Rose. The award was established by School District No. 73 to recognize an individual, group, or organization that has distinguished themselves by providing outstanding service to public education in the Kamloops/Thompson School District.

The Board enjoyed a presentation from District Literacy Coordinator Fiona Clare on upcoming events sponsored by Literacy in Kamloops (LinK), Interior Savings, and other partner groups. Family Literacy Week runs from January 21-28, 2017 which includes a variety of free Unplug and Play Week Activities.

The Board received a presentation from District Early Years Coordinator, Marianne Vande Pol, and Manager Sue Lissel from Make Children First, on the 2016 Early Development Instrument (EDI) results.

The Board received a report from Director Smillie on the 2016 Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) results.

The Board approved two Out-of-Province Field Trip Requests from Brock Middle School and Norkam Senior Secondary School for students in their Core French Program and IB French Program to travel to Papineauville, Quebec in April 2017.

The Board defeated the Motion to develop a three-year school calendar beginning in 2017-2018 that incorporates a two-week Spring Break. After a lengthy debate, the Board approved a Motion to ask administration to develop a calendar which reflects a one-week Spring Break.

Secretary-Treasurer Stretch provided the Board with a report that provided summary Capital Spending Information by school district.

The Board approved Capital Bylaw Projects No. 116953 and No. 127208.

The Board approved a 5:30 PM start time for all future In-Camera Meetings.

Jam Can Curling Bonspiel 2017

Try a new sport with your friends. No experience is necessary. All levels are welcome, and lunch is included!Date: March 25-26Ages: 6-13 yearsGames: 8:00 amLocation: Kamloops Curling ClubThere are 3 ways to register: online at www.kamloops.ca/ezreg, by phone 250-828-3500 or in person at TCC, Westyde Community Centre or Kamloops Museum and Archives.Please quote program numbers to reigster. Deadline to register is March 11.Individuals: Course No. 266383 $10Team of four: Course No. 266382 ​For more information, contact Marilyn Brooks or Rob Nordin at 250-372-5432.